I tell you what, people like to make bold claims dont they.... I really feel for the public sometimes. Lately ive seen two claims thats I feel arent exactly wrong, but are definitely taken out of proportion. #1- is how muscle affects your basal metabolic rate. The claim is true that added muscle will increase metabolic rate, but the question should be, how much of an effect does it have? Should we obsess about it? People need to know this information. With muscle mass averaging up to 40% of your total body mass, its surprising to hear, it actually only makes up about 25% of your total resting metabolic rate. Your organs equate to a much higher %. However, to cut a long story short, at rest, a pound of muscle burns about 6 calories. Nothing to shout about really. Im not saying we shouldnt build muscle, of course not, but just realise the bottom line, the affect is small. At least you all know why the HULK is shredded now. #2- is the affect excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), usually from interval training, has on your ability to burn calories after exercise. As Lyle McDonald explains the basic fact is that the absolute magnitude of the EPOC simply doesn’t amount to very much in the first place. One interval study, which found a 14% increase in metabolic rate via EPOC measured an irrelevant 32 calorie afterburn. Yayy no matter how you cut it, the majority of calories burned come during the workout, not afterwards. As you’ll see, the EPOC doesn’t amount to jack for any realistic amount of activity I think that sums it up quite well. Again, Im not saying we shouldnt do interval training as their are numerous other benefits, but just realise the bottom line. EPOC isnt really anything to shout about.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:26:12 +0000
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